[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6226230,"mediaKeyId","3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12","parentId",3513570,"title","Council approves rezoning for Phillips Square parcels from PDD to general commercial, office and protected natural areas","audioSeconds",646,"startMs",3390000,"endMs",4036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12&start=3390&end=4036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12/thumbnail_3390000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226230/College-Station/Brazos-County/Texas/Council-approves-rezoning-for-Phillips-Square-parcels-from-PDD-to-general-commercial-office-and-protected-natural-areas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226230-e007e7b69e0b7e7c84a1587d0a22bf7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776423500&Signature=DFIHkbWyL07~mzApHJkW~InxBtCPS8b2aFQcfGFGPGsZqSqW4YkezDTQ6ErRn2AYCImXJqlLNGX2FU5g08cjGDHIxvDSsUMgWyLZjK80eqE~mcVZpGsNmxqzaqn-R4a6H9mQ14cSUZxle2Nz8w73yYnAmdPbGyGRQblZ8MXkH6FthP0FKkD6nnAbTO2oUowD8iwfzl4-3SndR7iuxtJdHJhULCNRjGJ~LiSB16lJ-Z0YLK8amgcAorjcimvra36bWSuezoH~BP04zkFUM0s-qGuOCrHqbNnTrsFh548jx1WELR0tLm2KD2Bm9NgEw9L5xO80mYVmsscD6brsygoXLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","College Station","date","2025-05-22T00:00:00Z","article","College Station City Council on May 22 approved a rezoning ordinance that removes roughly 9.5 acres from a Plan Development District and converts those tracts to general commercial, office and natural-areas-protected zoning.

Planning staff said the change aligns the property’s parcel-by-parcel zoning with the concept plan previously approved under the PDD and will allow future development that already is permitted by the PDD to move more quickly through site planning because it will use straight zoning standards. “Staff is recommending approval of this rezoning request from Plan Development District to General Commercial, Office, and Natural Areas Protected,” planning staff Gabriel Schrum told council, noting the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7–0.

Why it matters: the property sits at the terminus of Castle Rock Parkway and backs to a preserved natural area and floodplain. Schrum said the natural-area boundaries remain protected under the proposed zoning and that the multifamily portion shown in the original PDD concept plan is not part of this rezoning request and will remain in the PDD.

Public comments: residents from the adjacent Castle Rock neighborhood raised concerns at the council meeting about traffic, buffering, property-sale signage and whether rezoning would remove community input for future development. “If you approve this rezoning, it’s just gonna let them do it. They can do it now, but it’s just gonna be more efficient for them to get the project done,” Joe Schultz, an engineer representing landowner Wallace Phillips, told council. Schrum and the applicant reiterated that the permitted uses for the commercial and office areas are the same as under the existing PDD and that the change is intended to streamline the process, not to expand allowable uses.

Formal action: Council voted 7–0 to approve the rezoning ordinance amending Ordinance 24-4498 (map amendment language was in the published agenda); the applicant and staff said prior infrastructure improvements — roads, deceleration lanes and a pedestrian/bike path — were installed consistent with the earlier PDD approvals.

Background and next steps: Schrum said the PDD and its concept plan were originally adopted in 2010 and amended in early 2024 to remove building and parking layouts while retaining approved uses; city staff said the parcel was later platted consistent with the PDD standards. Any future site plan for the remaining multifamily area in the PDD will still require the PDD-specific process, staff said.

Council members asked staff for clarification about buffers, floodplain protections and the timeline differences between a straight-zoning review and a PDD concept amendment; staff agreed that straight zoning will remove a council-level concept-plan step and thereby shorten the approval timeline for buyers who prefer a more direct route to site plan review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","College Station City Council Meeting May 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Council voted May 22 to rezone about 9.5 acres in the Phillips Square subdivision from a PDD to general commercial, office and natural-areas-protected zoning, a change staff said will streamline the site-plan review process.","taxTitle","College Station, Brazos County, Texas","taxId",2773,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226234,"College Station council approves notice to issue roughly $35 million in bonds and certificates",0,2878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12&start=2878&end=2878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12/thumbnail_2878000.jpg","/articles/6226234/College-Station/Brazos-County/Texas/College-Station-council-approves-notice-to-issue-roughly-35-million-in-bonds-and-certificates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226234-c36355cf6f1a9523cdda529ffd82d14b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776423500&Signature=mG1HPMWlw76J-E-GJ17OlCEX6Cj45UsciET7criUHwzA-A0URLHzOwKXqvB20cr1q4IVeeT68tsNWmFMmlJZGlm7vHCtiONwKw4kAjpqQ8el2FhJi7Ii5sLOATKAnxglVMLUJ7a9tWUK~IgGGSs0SwXm4oqoQ5WOUmWhFebLNBdLhKZWYx6jnrqjdx9~rqYDHVk-Ca~BqlCQC1tw2MfiSwFtT4ZQUJYEHGkfnyEMY4N7Ps7dR9isucsR5OJZe6bUtxR4JeJzMs6c3HkIS5tw0CX8815jLCQx~SvdXsUFUFU3KB8kna17xYyA6cLRgj1mSI~xlL~AN~LQFf5iyhXvjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","College Station City Council voted unanimously May 22 to authorize the city to publish a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation and general obligation bonds for capital projects and equipment.

The action starts a 45-day process that allows the city to sell debt to fund projects identified in the FY25 capital plan. “This is the first step in the process to issue what is our annual bonds,” City staff member Mary Ellen Leonard said in a presentation to council.

Leonard told the council the city is proposing to issue $17 million in voter-approved general obligation bonds (the bulk of which — about $13.5 million — would fund construction of Fire Station 7) and about $18.25 million in certificates of obligation for city projects, for a total “a little over $35,000,000” before issuance costs. The CO portion includes roughly $5 million proposed for a citywide radio-system replacement and about $5 million for design work and wastewater-related items tied to new water wells, she said.

Why it matters: staff said debt is one of the primary ways the city pays for capital projects and the timing matters for interest-rate expectations and the city’s bond rating. Leonard said the city would deliver a preliminary offering statement to the rating agencies on June 16 and that rating calls are planned for June 23–27. Council will be asked to adopt a parameters ordinance July 24 that sets final ranges for amount and interest-rate parameters; the sale and closing are scheduled later in the summer, with a targeted delivery of funds in late August.

Council members asked for context on overall debt levels. Finance staff reported the city’s outstanding debt at the end of fiscal 2024 was $454,499,000; council members confirmed the proposed issuance would not push the city past internal debt thresholds used in credit analysis. Staff also confirmed the city’s issues include standard call provisions so bonds can be refunded later if market rates fall.

Formal action: Council approved a resolution directing publication of the notice of intent and unanimously voted to proceed. The city manager’s office and finance staff said they will return with a parameters ordinance and the financing team’s final recommendations; timing and final interest costs will be set when the bonds are priced.

Background: Leonard said earlier in the budget year the manager transferred $15 million from electric operating funds into capital to reduce borrowing needs; the notice approved May 22 reflects the city’s updated cash-versus-debt decision for FY25 projects. Staff repeatedly emphasized the notice sets maximum amounts and that final issuance may be lower once financing details are finalized.

Looking ahead: Staff will deliver the parameters ordinance to council July 24; bond pricing and closing would follow later in the summer. Council members said they expect continued updates as staff completes rating-agency calls and finalizes exact amounts and terms.","City Council approved publication of a notice of intent to issue up to about $35 million in debt to fund voter-approved capital projects, radios and water-well work; staff said the sale process will include rating-agency review and a parameters ordinance in July.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226217,"Council adopts Parks & Rec standards of care for youth programs under state exemption",145,5019000,5164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12&start=5019&end=5164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12/thumbnail_5019000.jpg","/articles/6226217/College-Station/Brazos-County/Texas/Council-adopts-Parks-Rec-standards-of-care-for-youth-programs-under-state-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226217-a186b32be093a693373d910108b2d877/orig.mp4?Expires=1776423500&Signature=fSMWnzZ18W4KpCeWjXYIMZS7j--y-DxcCYHdudBIciQnsJNImwUUHtW36uSe7iShwEyBy39KQSdllSSLnMfuWvMaSsupgmUURsSjKSkp5b1geIRbemm-bu1oqTpaVtQ-niFzXjoLZbpA6T62ESxnkCOGiMhVLGcEG7rpq1Pv9gSnvN4Uzpvtt~950CLuTYNZ~dr3RjVJhxQ3nVCH7IYJudr6P4U7RVCXSYzRuQ92a0BP5CuP0ikmJ0MyQ6ft~JBfyLAxN0MbBGmmJoVRgmplEyQDy9p4rz4KIGr8ezazGElUfZO3DpUdEONBAcW8A6WupzzI1VZxx7lk-s0pT~YY4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council on May 22 adopted an ordinance that establishes the Parks and Recreation Department’s standards of care for elementary-age recreational programs and documents the city’s assertion that those programs qualify for an exemption from state child-care licensing.

The ordinance — unchanged from the prior year — details staff-to-child ratios, training requirements, facility-health-and-safety standards and the department’s public-notice obligations, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director Jean Ballew told council. “The Texas Human Resource Code establishes requirements to exempt municipalities from state childcare licensing,” Ballew said, citing the statute’s exemption criteria that apply when a municipality operates recreation programs rather than licensed child care.

Why it matters: under Texas law a city operating camps and recreation programs for school-age children may claim an exemption from state child-care licensing if it publishes locally adopted standards of care and holds a public hearing each year. Ballew said the department publishes the standards in the program guide and on the city website and distributes them to participants.

Formal action: Council opened and closed the public hearing (no speakers signed up) and approved the ordinance by unanimous vote; staff said no substantive changes were made to the standards compared with the prior year.

Program context: the standards document guides camp operations for ages five through 13 and is intended to make the public aware the programs are municipally run and not state-licensed child-care centers. Staff said these materials are shared with participants and used for transparency and oversight.","Council adopted an ordinance annually required by state law documenting the Parks and Recreation Department’s standards of care for youth recreational programs for ages 5–13 that are exempt from state child-care licensing.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226221,"Visit College Station reports 2024 spending spike, new brand and plans for signature events",222,1347000,1569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12&start=1347&end=1569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12/thumbnail_1347000.jpg","/articles/6226221/College-Station/Brazos-County/Texas/Visit-College-Station-reports-2024-spending-spike-new-brand-and-plans-for-signature-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226221-6ba033742ea8c0d769968889b24923c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776423500&Signature=K7qyizyfC84bqp9vlPUPQo4~7mSf5t6L3f06M6COb4xySKlPxmPFX-xCF6SNIEoEIlCaeYYOyD7~9QLEBpk7133m1a0jicUko8U6k86QRs9zGusrsrCkq1k7dQX2hBAi-cAGHQabP7W3i8Nf3vN5ljH00CW-vJNN8TdG748kIGe8HjjhRqbTlKCJ-DwkZG~Og~9AmY02HfYCFpeCsWIvkk2mJ-t~YAFJ~buXHRzT8VwR~XBhKpEspiHZHefX~CdNQ44ZC5TGdxTS3pTU44NNArMKopBfmTsbUL9F3C9SEIKwKiSA204grZ6rZStrfgPxzZ8r4nFmJWxXV9WtmdtZNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City tourism staff and the tourism advisory committee updated the City Council May 22 on Visit College Station efforts, reporting growth in hotel metrics for 2024, a new brand book and ongoing strategic planning and convention-center feasibility work.

“From the very beginning, honor and service instilled a sense of humility in Aggies…that spirit has never left us,” Jeremiah Cook, assistant director for tourism, read from the tourism brand book to illustrate the new message the city will use to promote College Station. The office rolled out the new tagline, “Learn why you’ll love it here,” and a brand book the city intends to share with community partners.

Economic indicators: Cook told council that visitor spending in College Station totaled about $469 million in 2024, up 7.8% year-over-year. The city recorded hotel-occupancy and average daily-rate growth in 2024 — including increases vs. comparable college towns — and the conventions and sports team reported bringing in 66,363 room nights in 2024, a 14% increase year-over-year. Cook emphasized efforts to diversify demand beyond football weekends and said the office recorded more than 2,300 prospecting contacts in 2024 to attract meetings, sports and events.

Events and marketing: Staff highlighted summer sports and convention bookings that will bring thousands of athletes and visitors, including a multi-sport tournament expected to draw about 4,500 room nights. The tourism office said it is deploying marketing to four target audiences — leisure travelers, prospective students and families, former students and sports tourists, and meeting/sports planners — and is using the new brand book and a redesigned visitcollegestation.com site to centralize information for partners.

Committee and planning work: Courtney Phillips, chair of the tourism committee, said the new advisory group wants to support staff, “help facilitate events, big and small,” and recommended that the city invest in signature events that can drive room nights. Cook said Jones Lang LaSalle is working on the tourism strategic plan and that steering-committee work will begin at the May 28 tourism-committee meeting; phase 2 of the convention-center feasibility study is being refined with staff and will return to council later this summer.

Why it matters: Staff characterized tourism as an economic-development tool that supports restaurants, retail and hotels year-round. Councilmembers asked about metrics tying room nights to sales-tax receipts, the city’s role in pursuing film production and the expected ROI of a possible convention center; staff said partnerships with Texas A&M University and local hotels are central to sales efforts and that more analysis will come with phase 2 of the feasibility work.

No formal action was requested; staff and the tourism committee asked for continued council support for funding and strategic investment in signature events and marketing.","City tourism staff reported hotel occupancy and revenue growth in 2024, a $469 million estimated visitor spend, a new Visit College Station brand, and ongoing strategic planning and convention-center feasibility work.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226225,"Residents press city to act on Midtown development; callers urge renegotiation of developer contract",298,787000,1085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12&start=787&end=1085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3513570-264dbfee7964bd316dbb5d22a2c3ed12/thumbnail_787000.jpg","/articles/6226225/College-Station/Brazos-County/Texas/Residents-press-city-to-act-on-Midtown-development-callers-urge-renegotiation-of-developer-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226225-785695accea80d0c2ba18b582c76dc93/orig.mp4?Expires=1776423500&Signature=jzgYrQuTg9MTMA0gVT6yWzSm9r0CV5yCSNTyIbTG78V10EIDPFRX~lcHjhMZ61i94cltLSzpH7sHZ5-WT3HDFoNOqxjY4PV6n095qaAKeXdD1jBdEPepe5CHusT-rJz7hEmpZxrStmXgIIVvEHc0yS8QSGab1sI~rtjD7BIfexqPzdXrzWVz7~7~ZT9q23abuY-T9KBnWJdtkzZcPs27giQmGPHLBxAXPrfwQHcqLYRZtS~88qWW-J2GdphZgze7HedOlNxkIte4cGvAJisvESr5Gi295idCFzui9toonFlC1ZtsKsMSK9nO5-Roas9vJlRFggCXwdhmzVX98zBmBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Four residents used the May 22 public-comment period to press City Council for action on Midtown redevelopment and to urge alternatives if a major developer fails to complete contracted commercial elements.

Shelby Behm, who identified herself as a Midtown resident, told the council she plans to “relaunch” advocacy to keep Midtown on the agenda and urged “smaller wins” such as signage, grandfathering impact fees and extending sidewalks to Highway 6. “Investing in Midtown isn’t about keeping a promise. It’s about not letting go of a great opportunity,” Behm said.

Another speaker, Michael Bozart, told council the development has stalled in part because of a contractual obligation the developer (identified in the public record as Mr. Muir) has not met — specifically, a roughly 150,000-square-foot multiuse building. “I’m here tonight to ask the city government begin to look at alternate ways to amend or renegotiate that contract so that TIRZ funds and development opportunities can be initiated,” Bozart said. He told council that vacant commercial buildings in other parts of town show there is market risk and that the current contract terms may be preventing progress.

Why it matters: Midtown has been the focus of multi-year discussions involving city investments, developer commitments and public expectations. Residents said public funds tied to Midtown (including incentives and TIRZ/TIF resources that have been discussed in prior meetings) appear underused and urged the council and staff to pursue interim, achievable steps while larger negotiations proceed.

Council response and next steps: Mayor and staff acknowledged the concerns and indicated staff has scheduled follow-up conversations with the developer. Council members told speakers they want updates and that staff will meet with the developer to clarify next steps; one councilmember said staff and the developer already had an upcoming meeting to discuss the developer’s proposals. Several councilmembers asked staff to bring back options that include smaller, immediate actions in the event the larger development plan stalls.

No formal action was taken during the hearing; speakers asked the council to return to the topic in coming weeks.","During the city’s public-comment period, Midtown residents and nearby homeowners urged faster action and proposed that the city revisit developer contract terms after years of limited commercial progress; speakers asked for smaller, immediate steps in addition to larger proposals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves rezoning for Phillips Square parcels from PDD to general commercial, office and protected natural areas

College Station council approves notice to issue roughly $35 million in bonds and certificates

Council adopts Parks & Rec standards of care for youth programs under state exemption

Visit College Station reports 2024 spending spike, new brand and plans for signature events

Residents press city to act on Midtown development; callers urge renegotiation of developer contract